Find Marriage Records in Pensacola

Marriage records for Pensacola residents are kept by the Escambia County Clerk of Court. The clerk handles license applications, ceremonies, and all recorded marriage documents for the county.

Where to Get a Marriage License in Pensacola

Pensacola is the county seat of Escambia County. The Escambia County Clerk of Court processes all marriage license applications at the courthouse in downtown Pensacola. Call (850) 595-4310 for office hours and details.

Both parties must come to the office together. Bring valid photo ID like a driver license from any state, passport, military ID, state ID card, alien registration card, or naturalization certificate. U.S. citizens need a Social Security number. Anyone who was married before must bring the date their prior marriage ended.

Walk-ins are accepted during business hours. Appointments can be made to avoid waiting. The clerk has a pre-application form online that you can fill out before your visit. This saves time at the counter since the clerk already has your basic information when you show up.

Pensacola sits in the far western Florida panhandle, close to the Alabama state line. The courthouse is in the heart of downtown and easy to find. Military families from Naval Air Station Pensacola frequently use this clerk office. Active duty military ID is accepted as valid photo identification.

Pensacola Marriage License Fees

The marriage license fee is $86 in Escambia County. Taking a premarital course from an approved provider drops it to $61. Under Florida Statute 741.0305, the course must be finished within one year of the application date. It also waives the three-day waiting period for Florida residents.

Clerk ceremonies cost $30. The office accepts cash, Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express. No personal checks. Duplicate licenses are $30. Amendments need a court order plus $30.

Certified copies of a Pensacola marriage record cost $9 for the first one and $7 for each after that. If you do not know the year of marriage, the clerk charges a $2 search fee per year. Copies can be ordered online, in person, or by mail.

Search Pensacola Marriage Records Online

The Escambia County Clerk website has a records search tool. You can look up marriage records by name for free. Ordering a certified copy costs money, but the search is at no charge.

For records not in the online system, call (850) 595-4310. Staff can check older files. Records from before June 6, 1927 are only available at the county level since the state did not start collecting marriage data until then.

The Florida Department of Health has state marriage certificates going back to 1927. A search costs $5 for one certified copy plus $4 for extras. VitalChek charges $15 plus $7 for processing. For Pensacola marriages, the Escambia County Clerk is typically quicker and cheaper.

Marriage License Steps in Pensacola

Here is the process:

• Complete the pre-application on the Escambia County clerk website
• Both people visit the Pensacola courthouse with valid photo ID
• Provide Social Security numbers (U.S. citizens)
• Pay $86 (or $61 with premarital course proof)
• Wait three days if you are a Florida resident without the course
• Use the license within 60 days at any Florida location

The three-day wait applies to Florida residents only. Out-of-state couples and military members stationed in Florida but domiciled elsewhere may qualify for an exception. Taking the premarital course removes the wait for everyone.

Under Florida Statute 741.07, ceremonies can be done by ordained ministers, judges, clerks of court, deputy clerks, or Florida notaries public. No witnesses are legally required, but one or two is recommended. The officiant signs the license and returns it to the clerk within 10 days. The clerk records it and sends data to the Bureau of Vital Statistics. Processing takes around 60 days.

Getting Certified Copies in Pensacola

Three ways to get certified copies. Online through the Escambia County Clerk website is quickest. Pay with a credit card and copies ship to your address. In-person requests go to the courthouse in downtown Pensacola. Mail requests need a cashier's check or money order payable to the Clerk of Court.

Escambia County marriage records are public documents under Florida Statutes Chapter 119. Anyone can search and request copies. Social Security numbers and sensitive personal info get redacted. If you qualify for confidential filing, ask the clerk about the form under Section 119.071.

Just married in Pensacola and need proof right away? Start with the county clerk. The state office takes longer because the recording process runs about two months after the ceremony date.

Other Cities in Escambia County

All cities in Escambia County use the same clerk office for marriage records. Select a city below for local details.